Are you the same political party as your parents?

[aphex]

Just curious, in my group of close friends we're about 95% the same as our parents.

How about you and your parents?

I don't think the poll can encompass every situation, but I'll try to get as many as possible without diluting the poll.

I always find it interesting to see how much influence our parents had on us when it comes to politics. I fancy myself a free thinker, but on some issues its funny how I sound exactly like my parents do and take their point of view. Is it because they raised me to be that way? Or because I genuinely agree?

I crossed my mind again earlier tonight while shopping at Target, listening to two young employees (I would venture a guess 16-17 in age) who were nearby and discussing politics. The subject matter and manner in which they spoke led me to believe they had no idea what they were actually talking about, just repeating what each of their respective parents had said about the issues. Maybe a bit presumptive to make such an assumption, but it was comical to the point I actually laughed at their banter, talking about issues which they appeared to have no concept of.

(Before anyone says it, no, I don't normally go to stores, listen to teenagers chatting, and giggle to myself. They were talking loud and in the same isle stocking shelves while I was debating the intricacies of how much to spend on gym headphones that will die from sweat in 6 months)

Anyway, I welcome your comments (and suggestions on how to clarify and improve the poll)

EDIT: I'm not sure I like the 3rd choice on the poll, as it seems to fit within #2 (just an extension). LMK

 

[PrinceofWands]

My father is a fairly strong democrat, though not an extremist about it. I object to the very idea of parties, and STRONGLY oppose the two major ones we have now.

 

[nageov3t]

my parents are very liberal quasi-hippies, registered as democrats.

I've moderated a lot of my views a lot as I've grown older, but I'm still significantly more conservative than my parents and am registered as a republican.

 

[seemingly random]

Polar opposite political views from my dad. Mom voted ... hell, I have no idea how she voted - she never voiced an opinion around us.

 

[Fern]

Kind of eclectic in my family, at least between myself, my father & mother.

My father thinks he's a conservative, but I believe he supports things like the war on drugs. I do not and feel my position in more line with a real conservative veiwpoint. He was in the military and is more *pro-police* than me, where I'm more pro - Bill of Rights. He'd rather leave Iraq now, where I think next year will do just fine.

My mother was really pulling for Hillary Clinton :roll:

And I'm more interested in politics than either of them.

Fern

 

[brencat]

My wife, my 2 younger brothers, myself, and my inlaws (Spaniards now U.S. citizens) are all very conservative and vote Republican.

My dad was a Republican all his life but voted Democrat in the last 2 elections. My mom didn't vote at all until 2004 and voted Democrat. Both will vote for Obama this year. At least my inlaws vote will cancel them out, haha.

 

[AAjax]

My Mom is Republican Dad is Democrat. Im a Libratarian (of sorts) seems like a logical conclusion to me.

 

[Tab]

Both of my parents lean conservative on social issues and are religious. I'm not.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

My mothers were crazy hippies in the 70s. My surviving mother is definitely liberal, but her interest in politics has diminshed since the heyday of love-ins and communes. I'm liberal, though I tend to seek the middle ground on many issues, and occasionally exhibit blatant misanthropy (such as my stance on capital punishment), which gives me the appearance of a conservative. I'm definitely becoming more conservative as I age though. I plan on being the 80 year old Jew voting for Buchanan.

 

[pstylesss]

My dad is a democrat but his actual views are that of a republican. My mom wasn't political but was conservative because of religion. My grandma is a republican for all reasons. I became a republican before I knew what they were.

 

[CPA]

My step-dad is a liberal union man. My mom sways the same way as he, but probably more because it's "what a good wife does". I used to be the same way until I graduated from college and got into the real world. I lean conservative.

 

[mooseracing]

I'm assuming my parents both vote Dem since they are in Unions.

I don't have a party as I think they are stupid. I vote for whoever I want to vote for.

 

[StageLeft]

Not really. I'd say I'm substantially more liberal than my dad. My mom I have NO clue what her persuassion is.

 

[jonks]

"Yes - I am the same political party as both (or at least one) of my parents"

Ummm. If you are a D or R, doesn't this encompass all the situations of

Mom, Dad
Mom:R, Dad:R
Mom, Dad:R
Mom:R, Dad
?

And isn't that 95% of us?

 

[Perknose]

Both of my parents were life-long Republicans. I still get fund-raising calls and letters from the RNC since my Dad was a yearly contributor, though he died nearly six years ago now.

Neither of my parents would have had much truck with the yahoo fundy strain of recent Republicans.

Interestingly enough, my Dad, a Navy officer who saw extended combat duty in WWll, was quietly but emphatically against the Vietnam war several years before I was.

But with the possible exception of JFK, neither most likely ever voted for a Democrat in their lives. Yet I never heard either utter one single derogatory word against Democrats or "liberals".

I have been a registered Independent my entire adult life.

But, even long before the primaries began, I forced myself to register as a Democrat because of my overriding concern about who gets to nominate the next few Supreme Court justices, among other pressing concerns. I believe the last two Presidentail elections were "finagled." I am keeping my eye on that ball.

I grew up loving my country, and I love her still, which is why I will continue to do everything I can to help her along her 200+ year journey towards living up to the wise and beautiful documents of liberty and tolerance our founding fathers left us.

My parents flew the flag on on the 4th, Flag day, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day, as did just about everyone else on our block and neighborhood. We all did so, without further comment ever being necessary, as a simple gesture of gratitude and respect.

I detest those who have tried to hijack my flag and my country from me for their divisionist and exclusionist ways.

I deeply understand the siren lure of libertarianism. I am not one, though not unsympathetic. I'll leave it at that.

I have a high personal regard for John McCain, but I cannot vote for him, since we disagree fundamentally on so many important issues.

I think Barrack Obama is most likely a fundamentally decent human being, and I will vote for him. But I do not participate in Obamamania.

"Success" in our national electoral process, as it is now constituted and practiced, demands the kind of mealy-mouthed "run to the imaginary middle" pandering and blatant, blatant hypocrisy that we are now seeing out of both candidates.

I am not naive. I never expected anything else.

Our Republic has long survived worse; has indeed, seldom known better.

But I will never cease trying to make her better. Indeed, I consider it part of my duty as a citizen! :thumbsup:

 

[jackschmittusa]

My parents were staunch Republicans for years, big supporters of Ike, swore JFK's allegiance would be to the Pope. Then, purely for selfish reasons, they became Democrats. They (particularly my mother) had the opportunity to become part of the local Democratic power structure and accrue certain benefits from that. It took me a while to figure that one out.

Neither party represents my views entirely, so I have always been an independent. This always makes it tough to figure out who to vote for, as it seems it is always a choice of the lessor of 2 evils. As an example, I'll probably end up voting for Obama, even though I have been totally unimpressed with him so far. McCain has far too many negatives on his sheet to consider him at this point.

 

[Vic]

Yes. My father is a Democrat and my mother is a Republican.

 

[SP33Demon]

No, and I would think most people who can somewhat think critically (i.e. 75%+ of ATPN forum) wouldn't just blindly follow their parents since our generation is smarter than our parents.

 

[ultra laser]

My parents have no interest in politics. My father is extremely cynical and thinks the game is rigged.

 

[GenHoth]

Parents are both repbulicans. I stand as a social liberal and economic conservative (small govt mainly) I am more liberal and more conservative than my parents at the same time. Figure that one out!

 

[seemingly random]

Originally posted by: GenHoth
Parents are both repbulicans. I stand as a social liberal and economic conservative (small govt mainly) I am more liberal and more conservative than my parents at the same time. Figure that one out!

I'm not confused at all. I believe this is where ~80% of people reside. The other ~20%, with their various, non-mainstream agendas, are just more vocal.

 

[Excelsior]

No. But while my parents consistently vote Republican, they are confused about many issues. They never research issues, they just regurgitate what Fox News told them. My father has simplified it to one party is bad, his party is good. He pretty much blindly supports whichever Republicans are in power. Rarely questions their authority or how well they're governing/representing. He reads and forwards retarded chain mails that deride anything democratic (including outright racists portrayals of Michelle Obama).

My mother faithfully watches Fox News, listens to Hannity, buys O'Reily's books, and enjoys Laura Ingram. Enough said.

Me...I'd like to think I am socially liberal (against the war on drugs, support gay rights) and economically conservative. I suppose I am pretty much libertarian. I voted for Bednarik in 2004...but after 8 years of bush, I am voting for Obama.

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: seemingly random

Originally posted by: GenHoth
I stand as a social liberal and economic conservative (small govt mainly) I am more liberal and more conservative than my parents at the same time. Figure that one out!

I'm not confused at all. I believe this is where ~80% of people reside.

And you'd be dead wrong.

After eight long years of George Bush's social conservatism and economic liberalism -- not to mention howling incompetency, lies, cover-ups, more lies, and major, major fuck-ups -- a full 28% of our country's voters STILL think he's doing a heck of a job, Bushie.

 

[seemingly random]

Originally posted by: Perknose

Originally posted by: seemingly random

Originally posted by: GenHoth
I stand as a social liberal and economic conservative (small govt mainly) I am more liberal and more conservative than my parents at the same time. Figure that one out!

I'm not confused at all. I believe this is where ~80% of people reside.

And you'd be dead wrong.

After eight long years of George Bush's social conservatism and economic liberalism -- not to mention howling incompetency, lies, cover-ups, more lies, and major, major fuck-ups -- a full 28% of our country's voters STILL think he's doing a heck of a job, Bushie.

This is stupid. Are you saying that, if I had stated 72/28, I wouldn't be dead wrong? Notice the tilde which is commonly used as a symbol for approximately.

And, if by stating bushie at the end of your post, you are insinuating I agree with bush, you have delivered an insult to me like no other. Thanks - somebody step on your tail today?

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: seemingly random
1. This is stupid. Are you saying that, if I had stated 72/28, I wouldn't be dead wrong? Notice the tilde which is commonly used as a symbol for approximately.

2. And, if by stating bushie at the end of your post, you are insinuating I agree with bush, you have delivered an insult to me like no other. Thanks - somebody step on your tail today?

1. Nope, sparky, I'm saying that the 28% are just the tip of the fucking iceberg of how wrong you are. Social conservatives are at least 33% of our electorate. Bush was so bad for so long even some of them moved away.

Economic liberals are a separate and almost totally non-overlapping section of our electorate that is at least 10-15%

Together, they comprise nearly half the electorate, NOT ~20%. Working on a naive assumption, you pulled that ~80% statistic compeltely out of your ass, and you're way, way off.

2. Christ, if you come into a political forum spouting "statistics" but can't even recognize a not too subtle take off on Bush's "You're doing a heck of a job, Brownie" during the Katrina catastrophe, I really can't help you further.

You were lazy, you were careless, but most of all, you were wrong.